Meningococcal symptoms

Seek medical attention immediately if you or your child develops symptoms of meningococcal disease. The two most common types of meningococcal infections are meningitis and septicemia. Meningococcal meningitis is a rare but serious bacterial infection. It causes the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed.

Each year, approximately 0people in the U. This strain produces more severe reactions if contracte with a greater chance of the person dying from it than other strains.

Bacterial meningitis, also called meningococcal disease, is the most serious form. The bacteria from a meningococcal meningitis infection. This is the same type of bacteria that can cause meningitis. When the bacteria infect the membranes that cover. Signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease usually start suddenly and include fever, headache, and a stiff neck.

It can start with symptoms similar to influenza (flu). Often people with meningococcal disease also have nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, rash, and confusion. Learn more about signs and symptoms.

Diarrhea or respiratory symptoms are less common. The swelling from meningitis typically triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck. Most cases of meningitis in the United States are caused by a viral infection, but bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections are other causes.

Some cases of meningitis improve without treatment in a few weeks. How do you catch meningitis? The signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis are similar to those of other causes of bacterial meningitis, such as Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. What does meningitis look like? The causative organism should be identified so that the correct antibiotics can be used for treatment and prophylaxis.

In its earliest stages, meningococcal disease causes flu-like symptoms. Severe meningococcemia symptoms. With severe meningococcal disease, vasculitis may be extensive and severe enough to cause death or necrosis of the skin (purpura fulminans). The petechial or purpuric rash may appear anywhere on the body, even on the palms or soles or inside the mouth. Thanks to vaccines, there are fewer cases of meningococcal disease in the United States than ever before.

They can cause life-long disabilities, or death in about one in people affected. If your child has meningococcal infection , early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics is vital. When symptoms start, they come on quickly and the person may get very sick very fast.

Contact your health care provider immediately if you have symptoms. Sometimes symptoms develop more slowly, over a few days.

The symptoms may suggest a less serious illness at first. Symptoms can occur in any order and not all may occur. For example, fever, headaches and vomiting are common with many viral illnesses such as flu. Know about the early symptoms of meningococcal disease and take action if you are concerned.

Get help immediately if you see one or more of the symptoms below.